Presents two activities for building elementary school students' vocabulary skills and increasing their knowledge of phonics and spelling patterns. The primary activity involves word mapping. The intermediate activity helps students pronounce and understand unfamiliar, multisyllabic words. A reproducible page on vocabulary strategies is included.…

The article describes how to teach skills strategically in whole-language classrooms. It discusses differences between skills and strategies and notes how to move from skill to strategy. A section on teaching phonics examines phonics charts and personal phonics booklets; suggests an order for teaching phonics. (SM)

Discusses the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, explaining how to use it to enhance reading and writing instruction. The article presents a brief interview with J.K. Rowling, a Harry Potter time line, and ideas for working on writing and editing paragraphs, creating dynamic dialogue, and fixing grammar and punctuation. Other fantasy books are…

A special feature designed to be sent home to help parents help kids with their reading. Available in special class-size packages, it's jam-packed with information and methods for parents. (Editor)

Describes a powerful combination of technology and teaching in Orange County, Florida, that has raised the reading scores of struggling students by as much as two grade levels each year. The project features an interactive software system and a literacy workshop model. It strives to help students overcome two common problems: lack of reading…

Describes how elementary teachers can give students a boost in content area reading by reading aloud paired nonfiction and fiction text sets, explaining: why nonfiction is so important; how to teach children how nonfiction works; how to carry out a paired text read-aloud; and how to look for evidence of learning in the reading/writing workshop.…

Debating can teach students how to investigate new ideas, develop critical thinking, and open their minds to different viewpoints. It is a way to explore a world filled with diverse viewpoints. Debating topics can come from the books students are reading. The debating process develops critical reading skills by challenging students to examine text…

Here are five articles designed to aid the elementary teacher in teaching the basics. (RK)

Presents poetry activities to help students develop two important skills--comparing elements and decoding compound words. The first activity has students unravel a list poem and put one together. The second has students explore compound words within a poem. A reproducible list poem is included. (SM)

Describes how one elementary educator teaches word study strategies that enlarge students' understanding of phonics and vocabulary. A primary level activity has students create a thematic word wall. An intermediate level activity has students conduct a new word hunt. A reproducible student page helps students sort words by sound. (SM)

Presents teacher-tested techniques for making phonics part of helping students learn to read. Suggestions include writing to read, working with storybook text, using techniques that utilize many senses, and making phonics only one part of a balanced reading program. Resources for obtaining phonics materials are included. (SM)

Shared reading lets elementary teachers show children what reading is about. Teachers read the text aloud and encourage students to read along. All levels of readers can participate. Teachers can do letter or sound searches to help children understand how to use what they know about letters and spelling patterns in order to read unfamiliar words.…

Presents three reading-comprehension strategies for elementary teachers to use during read-alouds. The first involves reading and using critical-thinking skills. The second uses character mapping to make predictions about a story. The third involves story mapping to encourage independent reading. The strategies encourage students to support one…

Creative ways of teaching alphabetizing, spelling, identifying parts of speech, and using reference works are offered. (DF)

Describes seven simple art projects which reinforce reading skills. Examples are: vowel finger puppets, a blend mobile, a shoebox-top racing game, and book illustration. (SJL)